Belgio Away 1970's Maglia Storica Calcio

Under coach Raymond Goethals the Belgian national team began the decade at the World Cup in Mexico, their first major tournament appearance since 1954. Group stage elimination with just a single victory over El Salvador was the best they could achieve, but with the majority of the same squad in place the Nations Cup of 1972 would bring a more positive outcome.

Paul Van Himst, Raoul Lambert, Jan Verheyen and Erwin Vandendaele all played important roles as the Belgians lost narrowly to West Germany in the semi-final before defeating Hungary in the third-placed play-off. Qualification for the 1974 World Cup was missed on goal difference, but prospects continued to look up for the White Devils in the second half of the decade as the next generation of stars like Pfaff, Ceulemans and Gerets flowered under the guidance of new national coach, Guy Thys.